EXHIBIT 10(k)
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Employment Agreement between FPL GROUP, INC., a Florida
corporation (the "Company"), and Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx (the "Executive"),
dated as of December 11, 1995.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its
shareholders to assure that the Company and its affiliated companies
will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding
the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative
to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of
the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or
threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive's full
attention and dedication to the Company and its affiliated companies
currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of
Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits
arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the
compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be
satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.
Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has
caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
Therefore, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Effective Date. The effective date of this Agreement
shall be the date on which a Change of Control occurs (the "Effective
Date"). Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with
the Company or its affiliated companies is terminated or the
Executive ceases to be an officer of the Company or its affiliated
companies prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs,
and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such
termination of employment or cessation of status as an officer (i)
was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably
calculated to effect the Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in
connection with or anticipation of the Change of Control, then for
all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the
date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment
or cessation of status as an officer.
2. Change of Control. For the purposes of this Agreement,
a "Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding
shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company
Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company
Voting Securities"); provided, however, that the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any
acquisition by the Company or any or its subsidiaries, (ii) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored
or maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) any
acquisition by any corporation with respect to which, following such
acquisition, more than 75% of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially
all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners,
respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such acquisition in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately
prior to such acquisition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock
and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual
becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved
by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the
Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a
member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any
such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result
of either an actual or threatened solicitation to which Rule 14a-11
of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act applies or other
actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents; or
(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, with respect
to which all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who
were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately
prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not,
following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, beneficially
own, directly or indirectly, more than 75% of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of
the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately
prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities, as the case may be; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a
complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company, other than to a corporation, with respect to which following
such sale or other disposition, more than 75% of, respectively, the
then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of
such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all
or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to
such sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion
as their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other
disposition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities, as the case may be.
The term "the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company" shall mean a sale or
other disposition transaction or series of related transactions
involving assets of the Company or of any direct or indirect
subsidiary of the Company (including the stock of any direct or
indirect subsidiary of the Company) in which the value of the assets
or stock being sold or otherwise disposed of (as measured by the
purchase price being paid therefor or by such other method as the
Board determines is appropriate in a case where there is no readily
ascertainable purchase price) constitutes more than two-thirds of the
fair market value of the Company (as hereinafter defined). The "fair
market value of the Company" shall be the aggregate market value of
the then Outstanding Company Common Stock (on a fully diluted basis)
plus the aggregate market value of the Company's other outstanding
equity securities. The aggregate market value of the shares of
Outstanding Company Common Stock shall be determined by multiplying
the number of shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock (on a fully
diluted basis) outstanding on the date of the execution and delivery
of a definitive agreement with respect to the transaction or series
of related transactions (the "Transaction Date") by the average
closing price of the shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock for
the ten trading days immediately preceding the Transaction Date. The
aggregate market value of any other equity securities of the Company
shall be determined in a manner similar to that prescribed in the
immediately preceding sentence for determining the aggregate market
value of the shares of Outstanding Company Common Stock or by such
other method as the Board shall determine is appropriate.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to
continue the Executive in its or its affiliated companies' employ, or
both, as the case may be, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain
in the employ of the Company, or its affiliated companies, or both,
as the case may be, for a period commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on the 4th anniversary of such date (the "Employment Period").
As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall
include any corporation or other entity controlled by, controlling or
under common control with the Company.
4. Position and Duties. During the Employment Period, the
Executive's position (including status, offices, titles, and
reporting requirements), authority, duties, and responsibilities with
the Company or its affiliated companies or both, as the case may be,
shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most
significant of those held, exercised, and assigned at any time during
the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date. The
Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the
Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or
any location less than 20 miles from such location.
During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of
vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the
Executive agrees to devote full time and attention during normal
business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and its
affiliated companies. It shall not be a violation of this Agreement
for the Executive to serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards
or committees, deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and manage personal investments, so
long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the
Company or its affiliated companies in accordance with this
Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent
that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior
to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or
the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto)
subsequent to the Effective Date shall not be deemed to interfere
with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the
Company and its affiliated companies.
5. Compensation. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be compensated as follows:
(a) Annual Base Salary. The Executive shall be paid an
annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), in equal biweekly
installments, at least equal to the annual base salary being paid to
the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies with
respect to the year in which the Effective Date occurs. The Annual
Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be
increased substantially consistent with increases in base salary
generally awarded to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies. Such increases shall in no event be less than
the increases in the U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index -
U.S. City Average Index. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall
not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive
under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after
any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this
Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used
in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall include any
corporation or other entity controlled by, controlling or under
common control with the Company.
(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the
Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the
Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at
least equal to the average annual incentive compensation (annualized
for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or
with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company
for less than twelve full months) paid or payable, including by
reason of any deferral, to the Executive by the Company and its
affiliated companies in respect of the two fiscal years immediately
preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs (the
"Recent Average Bonus"). The higher of the Recent Average Bonus or
the most recent Annual Bonus awarded by the Company and its
affiliated companies after the Effective Date is herein called the
"Highest Annual Bonus". Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no
later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next
following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded,
unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus.
(c) Long Term Incentive Compensation. During the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in
all incentive compensation plans, practices, policies, and programs
applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices,
policies, and programs provide the Executive with incentive
opportunities and potential benefits, both as to amount and
percentage of compensation, less favorable, in the aggregate, than
those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the
Executive under the FPL Group Long Term Incentive Plan (including,
without limitation, performance share grants and awards) as in effect
at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or; if more favorable to the Executive, those provided
generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(d) Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all savings
and retirement plans, practices, policies, and programs applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies, and
programs provide the Executive with savings opportunities and
retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in
the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the
Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such
plans, practices, policies, and programs as in effect at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any
time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
(e) Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be
eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under
welfare benefit plans, practices, policies, and programs provided by
the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without
limitation, medical, executive medical, prescription, dental, vision,
short-term disability, long-term disability, executive long-term
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, benefits
pursuant to a split dollar arrangement, accidental death and
dismemberment, and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to
the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies but in no event shall such
plans, practices, policies, and programs provide the Executive with
benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of such plans, practices, policies, and programs in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive,
those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(f) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most
favorable policies, practices, and procedures of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during
the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
(g) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the
most favorable plans, practices, programs, and policies of the
Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at
any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective
Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally
at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(h) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a
size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive
personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most
favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company
and its affiliated companies at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
`(i) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most
favorable plans, policies, programs, and practices of the Company and
its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any
time thereafter with respect to other peer incentives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
6. Termination of Employment.
(a) Disability. If the Company determines in good faith
that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the
Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth
below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance
with Section 13(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate
the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's
employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day
after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability
Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such
receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from
the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180
consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or
physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to
the Executive or the Executive's legal representative (such agreement
as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i) repeated violations by the
Executive of the Executive's obligations under Section 4 of this
Agreement (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or
mental illness) which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the
Executive's part, which are committed in bad faith or without
reasonable belief that such violations are in the best interests of
the Company and which are not remedied in a reasonable period of time
after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such
violations or (ii) the conviction of the Executive of a felony
involving an act of dishonesty intended to result in substantial
personal enrichment at the expense of the Company or its affiliated
companies.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be
terminated during the Employment Period by the Executive for Good
Reason.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position
(including status, offices, titles and reporting
requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as
contemplated by Section 4 of this Agreement, or any other
action by the Company which results in a diminution in such
position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding
for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent
action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the
Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any
of the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, other than
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not
occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be
based at any office or location other than that described in
Section 4 hereof;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of
the Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly
permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and
satisfy Section 12(c) of this Agreement, provided that such
successor has received at least ten days prior written
notice from the Company or the Executive of the requirements
of Section 12(c) of the Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 6(c), any good faith
determination of "Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be
conclusive.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company
for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated
by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in
accordance with Section 13(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of
this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice
which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as
defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice,
specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than
fifteen days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the
Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination
any fact or circumstances which contributes to a showing of Good
Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the
Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or
the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or
by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice
of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may
be, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such
termination and (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by
reason of Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the Disability
Effective Date.
7. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Good Reason; Other Than for Cause or Disability. If,
during the Employment Period, the Company terminates the Executive's
employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive
terminates employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a
lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of
Termination the aggregate of the following amounts (such
aggregate being hereinafter referred to as the "Special
Termination Amount"):
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual
Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the
extent not theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x)
the Highest Annual Bonus and (y) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days in the
current fiscal year through the Date of Termination,
and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive
(together with any accrued interest or earnings
thereon) (including, without limitation,
compensation, bonus, incentive compensation or
awards deferred under the FPL Group, Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan or incentive compensation or
awards deferred under the FPL Group, Inc. Long-Term
Incentive Plan of 1985, the FPL Group, Inc. Long
Term Incentive Plan of 1994, or pursuant to an
individual deferral agreement) and any accrued
vacation pay, in each case to the extent not
theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described
in clauses (1), (2), and (3) being herein called the
"Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1)
the greater of two or the number of years (with any
partial year expressed as a fraction) remaining in
the Employment Period and (2) the sum of (x) the
Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest
Annual Bonus; provided, however, that such amount
shall be paid in lieu of, and the Executive hereby
waives the right to receive, any other amount of
severance relating to salary or bonus continuation
to be received by the Executive upon termination of
employment of the Executive under any severance
plan, policy or arrangement of the Company; and
C. the maximum amount payable under all
performance share grants and all other long term
incentive compensation grants to the Executive,
calculated as though the Executive had remained
employed by the Company for the remainder of the
Employment Period and on the basis of actual
achievement of performance measures through the end
of the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year in
which the Date of Termination occurs and thereafter
assuming 100% achievement of all performance
measures through the end of the Employment Period;
and
D. a separate lump-sum supplemental
retirement benefit equal to the difference between
(1) the actuarial equivalent (utilizing for this
purpose the actuarial assumptions utilized with
respect to the FPL Group Employee Pension Plan (or
any successor plan thereto) (the "Retirement Plan")
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date) of the benefit payable under the
Retirement Plan and all supplemental and/or excess
retirement plans providing benefits for the
Executive (the "SERP") (including, but not limited
to the Supplemental Pension Benefit (as defined in
the FPL Group, Inc. Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan)) which the Executive would receive
if the Executive's employment continued at the
compensation level provided for in Sections 5(a) and
5(b) of this Agreement for the remainder of the
Employment Period, assuming for this purpose that
all accrued benefits are fully vested and that
benefit accrual formulas are no less advantageous to
the Executive than those in effect during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date, or,
if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter during the
Employment Period with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies, and (2) the actuarial equivalent
(utilizing for this purpose the actuarial
assumptions utilized with respect to the Retirement
Plan during the 90-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date) of the Executive's actual
benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the
Retirement Plan and the SERP; and
E. a separate lump-sum supplemental
retirement benefit equal to the difference between
(1) the value of the Company Account (as defined in
the FPL Group Employee Thrift Plan or any successor
plan thereto) (the "Thrift Plan") and any other
matching contribution accounts (including, but not
limited to the Supplemental Matching Contribution
Account (as defined in the FPL Group, Inc.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan)) under a
SERP which the Executive would receive if (i) the
Executive s employment continued at the compensation
level provided for in Sections 5(a) and 5(b) of this
Agreement for the remainder of the Employment
Period, (ii) the Executive made pre- and after-tax
contributions at the highest permissible rate
(disregarding any limitations imposed by the
Internal Revenue Code, which may or may not be set
forth in the Thrift Plan) for each year remaining in
the Employment Period, (iii) the Company Account and
the matching contribution accounts are fully vested,
and (iv) the matching contribution formulas are no
less advantageous to the Executive than those in
effect during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
during the remainder of the Employment Period with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies, and (2) the actual value
of the Executive s Company Account and matching
contribution accounts (paid or payable), if any,
under the Thrift Plan and the SERP; and
(ii) for the remainder of the Employment Period, or
such longer period as any plan, program, practice or policy
may provide, the Company shall continue benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to
those which would have been provided to them in accordance
with the plans, programs, practices and policies described
in Sections 5(e) and 5(g) of this Agreement if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated, in
accordance with the most favorable plans, practices,
programs or policies of the Company and its affiliated
companies applicable generally to other peer executives and
their families during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families, provided, however,
that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another
employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare
benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical
and other welfare benefits described herein shall be
secondary to those provided under such other plan during
such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of
determining eligibility of the Executive for retiree
benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and
policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained
employed until the end of the Employment Period and to have
retired on the last day of such period; and
(iii) to the extent not theretofore paid or
provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the
Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid
or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive
pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise under any plan,
program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the
Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and
benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other
Benefits"), but excluding solely for purposes of this
Section 7(a)(iii) amounts waived by the Executive pursuant
to Section 7(a)(i)(B).
(b) Death. Upon the Executive's death during the
Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this
Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the
timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. All Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary,
as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. The term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section
7(b) shall include, without limitation, and the Executive's family
shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most
favorable benefits provided by the Company and any of its affiliated
companies to surviving families of peer executives of the Company and
such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to family death benefits, if any, as in effect with
respect to other peer executives and their families at any time
during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or,
if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as
in effect on the date of the Executive's death with respect to other
peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their
families.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the
Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.
All Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum
in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. The term Other
Benefits as utilized in this Section 7(c) shall include, and the
Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to
receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most
favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its
affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in
accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating
to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable
to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any
time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(d) Cause; Other Than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to
the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive
Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination plus the amount of
any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, in each case
to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive terminates
employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for
Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and
the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all
Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
8. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Except as provided in
Sections 7(a)(i)(B), 7(a)(ii), and 7(a)(iii) of this Agreement,
nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's
continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or
practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein
limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under
any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive
is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of
its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination
shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or
program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by
this Agreement.
9. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the
payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action
which the Company may have against the Executive or others. In no
event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or
take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to
the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and,
except as provided in Section 7(a)(ii) of this Agreement, such
amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains
other employment. The Company agrees to pay, to the full extent
permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may
reasonably incur at all stages of proceedings, including, without
limitation, preparation and appellate review, as a result of any
contest (regardless of whether formal legal proceedings are ever
commenced and regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the
Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or
liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of
performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the
Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the
applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872 (f)(2)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the"Code").
10. Certain Additional Payments by the Company. Anything
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it
shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company
to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 10) (a "Payment") would be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any
interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and
penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise
Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment
by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties
imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect
thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the
Executive retains an amount of Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise
Tax imposed upon the Payments.
11. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in
a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or
confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company
or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses,
which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the
Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other
than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in
violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the
prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required
by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information,
knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those
designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the
provisions of this Section 11 constitute a basis for deferring or
withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this
Agreement.
12. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without
the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by
the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company shall require any successor (whether direct
or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all
or substantially all of the business and /or assets of the Company to
assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this
Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined
and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or
otherwise.
13. Miscellaneous.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without reference
to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement
are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or
effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than
by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
If to the Company:
FPL Group, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Vice President, Human Resources
or such other address as either party shall have furnished to the
other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications
shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any
other provision of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under
this Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of
this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or
the Company may hereunder, including, without limitation, the right
of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to
Section 6(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of
this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except
as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement
between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the
Executive by the Company is "at will" and, prior to the Effective
Date, may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any
time. Moreover, except as provided in Section 1, if prior to the
Effective Date, (i) the Executive's employment with the Company
terminates or (ii) the Executive ceases to be an officer of the
Company, then the Executive shall have no further rights under this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the
Executive's hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board of
Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in
its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above
written.
XXXX X. XXXXXXX
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
FPL GROUP, INC.
By XXXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Vice President, Human Resources
